A new all-party group has been launched to update Britain’s ‘wild west’ election campaign rulesAs we get closer to the European elections, here’s a worrying fact: our elections are currently wide open to foreign interference and dodgy campaigning. Election rules in the UK haven’t been updated since the year...Posted 15 May 2019
England’s 2019 local elections – The places where around half of voters go unrepresentedOn 2 May, thousands of people were elected to serve as councillors in local authorities across England. While a lot of attention has been given to the overall performances of political parties and independent candidates, little scrutiny...Posted 13 May 2019
The plans to save Westminster are a missed opportunity to re-build our democracyYesterday the government has published its long-awaited Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill setting out its plans to repair the dangerous and crumbling Parliamentary estate. As part of it, they’ve also launched a new consultation...Posted 09 May 2019
Imprints – finally some action to update our analogue laws for the digital ageIn a victory for voters; campaigners; academics; the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee; and the Electoral Commission, among many others, the government has finally committed to extending imprints (disclosures stating who has paid for...Posted 07 May 2019
SNP delegates pack out ERS Scotland fringesOn Sunday at SNP spring conference, delegates showed their interest in a deliberative and local democracy by packing out 2 events hosted by ERS Scotland. The first, a discussion around the merits of citizens’ assemblies,...Posted 01 May 2019
Local elections: How voter ID trial could undermine the right to voteHere’s something you might not know about Thursday’s local elections: hundreds of thousands of potential voters are being told that unless they bring ID with them, they’ll be turned away. If rolled out nationally –...Posted 30 Apr 2019
Conservative MPs back proportional representation, arguing First Past the Post “encourages conflict and aggression”MPs from across the spectrum made the case for reforming the Commons’ ‘divisive, broken electoral system’ on Tuesday, in a Westminster Hall debate on proportional representation. The Lib Dems, Green Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru, members...Posted 26 Apr 2019
Uncontested seats mean thousands of voters will be denied their democratic rightsNext week, on Thursday, 2 May, voters in many parts of England will go to the polls to elect their local representatives. Elections will take place in urban metropolitan boroughs, unitary authorities and district councils,...Posted 25 Apr 2019
Democracy cancelled: How parties have captured hundreds of seats before local election dayLarge parts of England are effectively democracy deserts, with hundreds of thousands of potential voters denied real choice in this May’s elections. New research by the Electoral Reform Society ahead of next month’s vote shows...Posted 19 Apr 2019
Ministers can’t let themselves of the hook when it comes to tackling the social media ‘Wild West’Last week the government launched a consultation into tackling ‘online harm’. It’s the first step towards dealing with the tech barons of the new ‘wild west’. But ministers can’t let themselves off the hook just...Posted 15 Apr 2019